Second Week of Project Safe Semester Results in 219 Charges

Second Week of Project Safe Semester Results in 219 Charges

A Total of 335 Charges To Date

Waterloo Region, Ontario – The Waterloo Regional Police Service continues to maintain a noticeable and visible presence in the Universities and College areas as our officers support Project Safe Semester.

The month-long program, which promotes the safety and well-being of University and College students, includes a Door Knocker event in the neighbourhoods surrounding the Universities. This event is done in collaboration with Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo campus police, Conestoga College, City of Waterloo By-law and the Waterloo Fire Department.

The campaign kicked off on August 26, 2018 and, as of September 8, 2018, a total of 335 charges have been laid. In the first week, a total of 115 charges were laid, representing a 69 per cent increase over the same time period in 2017. This included charges laid under the Liquor Licence Act (22), Highway Traffic Act (79), Trespass to Property Act (3), By-Law (1), Other (8), CDSA (1) and Criminal (1).

During the second week of Project Safe Semester, a total of 219 charges were laid under the Liquor Licence Act (128), Highway Traffic Act (81), By-Law (5), Other (2), Criminal (3). These numbers represent a 162 per cent increase in charges laid over the same time period in 2017.

“The Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to ensuring the safety of all students and the community as a whole,” said Bryan Larkin, Chief of Police. “We have enhanced our police visibility and enforcement in the Universities and College areas to not only discourage unlawful behaviour, but to encourage safe and respectable behaviour. We want students to have an enjoyable time, but one that doesn’t cause harm to themselves or others around them.”

The Waterloo Regional Police Service is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all its community members. Together, we can help make safety a priority throughout the school year.